As mayors, we have a serious responsibility to lead our communities and indeed our state during difficult times. Our constituents, citizens, and neighbors look to us as the headlines trumpet fear of foreclosure, and the need for major restructuring of our public finances. And as mayors we can count on the League to help us respond to these major public policy questions.

The League has created a web page to gather pertinent information on Home Ownership Preservation Resources. The League has partnered with NJ-HOPE to get you information on immediate help that is available to your residents facing this threat, and also inform you about efforts to fight foreclosure rescue scams. This resource is found at the League web site http://www.njslom.com/home-owner-main.html and can help you assist residents facing this frightening prospect.

The League is also helping mayors understand the Governor’s Financial Restructuring and Debt Reduction Initiative. In addition to meeting with the Administration to raise the municipal perspective, the League hosted a Mayors Legislative Day, which included a presentation and questions with the Governor. View all the important information, reports and scheduled meetings at the League web page http://www.njslom.com/Governor-restructure-plan.html In the near future the League Heavy Truck Task Force will meet with DOT Commissioner Kolluri to discuss the impact of toll increases on local roads and traffic safety.

All this information and effort is only a start. Your voice and action will make the difference on these issues. So please review the information available and resolve to make your voice heard by your legislators, and by the League. Send your input and concerns so your staff in Trenton can keep them front and center in these discussions as we all lead our state through these difficult times.

Recently, the League mailed information to all mayors concerning the Annual Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. Mayor Phyllis Marchand of Princeton Township chairs the Scholarship Competition and Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista also serves as a judge. This popular competition is open to all high school juniors and seniors throughout the state. The top three winners each receive $1,000 scholarships from the League.

Mayors play an integral role in the success of this program because your office publicizes its availability, judges the local entries, and distributes the checks and certificates supplied by the League. You should publicize the scholarship to your local schools and judging committee. Your local winning entry must be submitted to the League office by April 2, so we can announce the three statewide winners by May 8.

ELECTED OFFICIALS INDUCTED IN LEAGUE HALL OF FAME-Contact Michael Darcy extn 116

The League inducted 37 new members into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame during the Sixteenth Annual Mayors Legislative Day January 16, 2008 at the State House Annex in Trenton. This honor is reserved for those governing body members, active and retired, who have served 20 years in elected municipal office. There are currently 365 inductees in the Elected Officials Hall of Fame. Congratulations to our most recent members! Please see the 2008 Elected Officials Hall of Fame inductee list for more information at www.njslom.org.

VISIT LEAGUE CALENDAR OF EVENTS-Contact www.njslom.org

To keep up-to-date on League seminars and events, visit our calendar at www.njslom.org. You can access, program agendas, registration forms and directions. Dates are added all the time so be sure to check each week.

LEAGUE E-MAIL NOTIFICATION-Contact www.njslom.com

Would you like to receive email notification on important League issues? The New Jersey State League of Municipalities maintains two E-Mail registration lists. Both of these lists are "Opt-In" style mailing lists. You will only receive e-mail notices for the list with which you are registered. You may change or delete your information at any time. Every e-mail notice sent out contains a link at the bottom for you to manage your information. It should also be noted that these lists are considered private and are not sold, given, or shared with anyone. That means you will never receive junk mail as a result of registering for a League of Municipalities e-mail list.

NJLM Resource Centers-Contact www.NJSLOM.com

To ease your search for information, we have created Resource Centers on the League web site. Find the link to these on the home page under the Bureau of Municipal Information. Some of the current Resource Centers include:

While you are at the site, check out the shared services bulletin board. Whether you have service to share or are seeking help it’s a great place to post your shared service requests at no cost.. http://www.njlm.org/forum1/